Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus that includes a photoelectric converter that generates a charge according to a received light amount, and a charge transfer region that is disposed at a place inside a substrate not exposed to a substrate surface and in contact with the photoelectric converter, and to which the charge generated by the photoelectric converter is transferred. The imaging apparatus further includes a charge accumulation region that is disposed apart from the charge transfer region in a substrate surface direction and accumulates the charge transferred from the charge transfer region, a transistor that performs control to transfer the charge from the charge transfer region to the charge accumulation region, and a detector that outputs a detection signal indicating whether or not an absolute value of a change amount of an electrical signal according to an amount of the charge transferred by the transistor exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An event can be detected quickly and accurately regardless of surrounding brightness. An imaging device includes: a photoelectric conversion element that photoelectrically converts incident light and generates an electrical signal corresponding to incident light intensity; a detection unit that outputs a detection signal indicating whether or not a change amount of the electrical signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a threshold value selection circuit that selects the threshold value from among a plurality of threshold value candidates according to a magnitude of the electrical signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor device which includes an image pixel that outputs a reset voltage and a first data voltage through a data line, and a voltage hold circuit that is connected with the data line, stores a first voltage based on the reset voltage, and provides the data line with a second voltage based on the first voltage.

Abstract: A method including collecting analog image data from an imaging array wherein the analog image data includes analog image data from a plurality of imaging pixels and from a plurality of opaque pixels. Each row of the imaging array includes both imaging pixels and opaque pixels. Opaque subtraction is performed in an analog domain, wherein biases determined in the opaque pixels for a given row of the imaging array are subtracted from the analog image data of the imaging pixels of that given row for each row of the imaging array. Performing opaque subtraction includes suppressing outliers in the analog image data from the plurality of opaque pixels. The method includes performing analog to digital conversion (ADC) on the analog image data to produce digital image data for the imaging pixels. ADC is performed after opaque subtraction in the analog domain.

Abstract: A radiation detector (100) adapted for detecting leakage currents is disclosed and comprises a direct conversion material (101) for converting incident radiation, at least one first electrode (108) and a plurality of second electrodes (103) connected to surfaces of the direct conversion material (101) for collecting each generated charges upon application of an electric field, at least one current measurement device (201), and a plurality of signal processing chains (210, 220, 230). Each signal processing chain comprises a readout unit (215, 216, 217, 218, 219) for discriminating between energy values with respect to the incident radiation, and a switching element (214) for sending signals on a first signal path (2141) electrically connecting one of the plurality of second electrodes with the readout unit, or on a second signal path electrically connecting the one of the plurality of second electrodes with an input to one of the at least one current measurement devices.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel and an optical module disposed under the display panel. The display panel includes a first display region under which the optical module is disposed to overlap the first display region in a plan view, the first display region including transparent regions through which light for an operation of the optical module passes and first pixels having a first pixel structure and disposed between the transparent regions, a second display region in which second pixels having a second pixel structure are disposed, and a third display region disposed between the first display region and the second display region, third pixels having a third pixel structure being disposed in the third display region, only part of the third pixels being driven during a display operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a signal processing apparatus and method, an imaging element, and an electronic apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration of subjective image quality. Driving of a shift register controlling transfer of pixel data of digital data obtained by A/D conversion is stopped in a part or the entirety of a period in which the A/D conversion is performed on a pixel output of an analog signal. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a signal processing apparatus, an imaging element, an imaging device, an image processing apparatus, an electronic apparatus, a signal processing method, a program, or the like.

Abstract: An imaging device acquires first dark image data in a state where an image sensor has been light shielded, acquires second dark image data in a state where the image sensor has been light shielded, based on completion of exposure, corrects fixed pattern noise of a reference combined image data based on at least one of the first dark image data and the second dark image data, and stores the reference combined image data that has been subjected to correction.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for rapidly dehazing an underground pipeline image based on dark channel prior (DCP). The method includes: preprocessing a hazy underground pipeline image to obtain a dark channel image corresponding to the hazy image; average-filtering the obtained dark channel image to estimate an image transmittance; compensating an offset value for an average filtering result to obtain a rough estimate of the transmittance; using a pixel value of the original image and an average-filtered image to estimate a global atmospheric light value; and using a physical restoration model to restore a dehazed image. The method of the present invention realizes the timeliness of the algorithm while ensuring the dehazing effect, and is suitable for scientific fields such as video monitoring of underground pipeline environment and identification of underground pipeline defects.

Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement comprises a photodiode and a converter arrangement including an integration amplifier, a comparator amplifier, an integration capacitor and a comparator capacitor. An offset of the integration amplifier is corrected in that the integrator output signal is compared with a high and a low comparison voltage to repetitively adjust an offset trim value. The use of two comparison thresholds creates noise immunity.

Abstract: Images of an unknown item picked from a store are processed to produce a cropped image. The cropped image is processed to produce a brightness/perspective corrected image, and the brightness/perspective corrected image is processed to produce a low-resolution final image. Image features of the low-resolution final image are extracted and compared against known item features for known items to identify an item code for a known item.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may access a dead pixel position corresponding to a dead pixel of a display. The system may access an image and modify the image by applying a mask to a pixel region of the image containing a particular pixel value with a position that corresponds to the dead pixel position. The mask may include an array of first scaling factors for scaling pixels values in the pixel region. The array of first scaling factors may be configured to brighten one or more of the pixel values surrounding the particular pixel value. The system may cause the modified image to be output by the display.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for image data processing. In certain embodiments, an image processing pipeline may be configured to receive a frame of the image data having a plurality of pixels acquired using a digital image sensor. The image processing pipeline may then be configured to determine a first plurality of correction factors that may correct each pixel in the plurality of pixels for fixed pattern noise. The first plurality of correction factors may be determined based at least in part on fixed pattern noise statistics that correspond to the frame of the image data. After determining the first plurality of correction factors, the image processing pipeline may be configured to configured to apply the first plurality of correction factors to the plurality of pixels, thereby reducing the fixed pattern noise present in the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging method, a camera module, and an electronic apparatus that are capable of detecting a failure in an imaging device having a structure in which a plurality of substrates are stacked. The timing at which a row drive unit provided in a second substrate outputs a control signal for controlling accumulation and reading of pixel signals in a pixel array provided in a first substrate is compared with the timing at which the control signal output from the row drive unit is detected after passing through the pixel array. Depending on whether or not the timings coincides with each other, a failure is detected. The present disclosure can be applied to an imaging apparatus mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image pixels. Control circuitry coupled to the array of pixels may be configured to operate the image pixels in an overflow mode of operation, in which each pixel generates an overflow image signal and a complete image signal from a single exposure time period. The overflow image signals and the complete image signals from the pixels may be used to generate a high dynamic range image. While the floating diffusion region in each pixel is not in use, control circuitry may control that pixel to generate a reference signal at the floating diffusion region indicative of pixel-specific dark signal noise. Processing circuitry may mitigate for dark signal non-uniformity across the pixels by correcting the complete image signals using the reference signal to remove dark signal noise in the complete image signals.

Abstract: In an image correction method and an image capture device, a one-frame addition average calculation unit calculates a one-frame addition average value. If the one-frame addition average value falls within an appropriate range, a determination circuit inputs image data for one frame to an adder and the adder adds the image data to a cumulative correction value to update the correction value. The updated correction value is stored in a frame memory. If the one-frame addition average value is outside the appropriate range, the image data for one frame is discarded. After updating the cumulative correction value until the number of updates reaches a prescribed number, an FPN correction value is calculated by dividing the cumulative correction value stored in the frame memory by the prescribed number, and an image is corrected by subtracting the FPN correction value from the image data inputted at the time of imaging.

Abstract: In a method for modeling a darkfield candidate image at a sensor, a plurality of darkfield images of the sensor is captured, wherein each darkfield image of the plurality of darkfield images is associated with a different operational condition of the sensor. An operational condition of the sensor is determined. A darkfield candidate image comprising a combination of the plurality of darkfield images is modeled based at least in part on the operational condition of the sensor, wherein a contribution of each darkfield image of the plurality of darkfield images is dependent on the operational condition.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing system may access a dead pixel position corresponding to a dead pixel of a display. The dead pixel may be associated with one of three color channels of the display. The system may access an image and select a set of three masks based on the color channel of the dead pixel. The system may modify the image by applying the set of three masks to a pixel region of the image containing a particular pixel value with a position that corresponds to the dead pixel position. The set of three masks may be respectively applied to three color channels of pixel values in the pixel region of the image. The set of three masks may be configured to minimize an error caused by the dead pixel in an opponent color space. The system may cause the modified image to be output by the display.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for facilitating wireless charging of devices. A battery-operated device may include a charging interface. The battery-operated device may further include a magnetic element configured to secure a charging device to the battery-operated device. The battery-operated device may further include a battery configured to be charged by the charging device via power received through the charging interface from the charging device when the charging device is secured to the battery-operated device. The battery-operated device may include a communication circuit configured to provide for transmission information associated with the battery to a user device. Related systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A signal processing device including an adjusting unit that adjusts an offset amount on a basis of output values of effective pixels for which the output values are equal to or less than a threshold among a plurality of effective pixels included in at least part of a region of a light receiving surface. The signal processing device further includes a correcting unit that corrects the output values of the effective pixels on a basis of the adjusted offset amount.

Abstract: A method for thermal imaging includes extracting pixel intensity data from a plurality of images corresponding to electromagnetic radiation emitted from one or more targets, creating an array for each image pixel in the plurality of images, wherein each pixel array represents a distribution of intensity data from corresponding pixels in each of the images, removing from each pixel array an amount of intensity data such that a remaining amount of intensity data represents an approximate equivalent to a distribution of intensity data uncontaminated by interference; and generating a thermal image representing the one or more targets based on the remaining amount of intensity data in each pixel array.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of imaging pixels. Each imaging pixel may include a first sub-pixel that is configured to generate a high light-sensitivity signal and a second sub-pixel that is configured to generate a low light-sensitivity signal. The image sensor may also include a plurality of dark pixels that are shielded from incident light and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to, for each imaging pixel, compare a value based on at least one of the high light-sensitivity signal and the low light-sensitivity signal to a threshold, modify the high light-sensitivity signal for the respective imaging pixel based at least on the low light-sensitivity signal for the respective imaging pixel when the value is less than the threshold, and modify the high light-sensitivity signal for the respective imaging pixel based on at least one dark pixel signal when the value is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes one or more processors including hardware that perform processing for generating a plurality of color planes from RAW image data having a mosaic color array, generating a luminance edge plane from the RAW image data, multiplying the luminance edge plane by a value of a gain, and adding, to each of the plurality of color planes, the luminance edge plane multiplied by the value of the gain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detection system, which includes an image sensor, a lens device, and a processor. The image sensor is configured to take a first picture of a foreground object and a background object. The lens device is attached to the image sensor and configured to allow the foreground object to form a clear image on the first picture and the background object to form a blurred image on the first picture. The processor is configured to determine the image of the foreground object by analyzing the sharpness of the images of the first pictures.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a pixel region having a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the unit pixels including first and second photoelectric conversion units, a reading controller configured to read first signals obtained by mixing signals output from the first and second photoelectric conversion units in rows of a first reading mode and read second signals at least including signals of the first photoelectric conversion units and third signals at least including signals of the second photoelectric conversion units in rows of a second reading mode, and an OB clamp processor configured to correct signals in the unit pixels included in an opening region in the pixel region based on signals output from the unit pixels included in a light shielding region in the pixel region. The OB clamp processor performs one of various correction processes depending on an imaging condition.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an image sensor, a processing method, and an electronic device for suppressing the deterioration of the quality of images captured by the image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array section configured to perform photoelectric conversion and have multiple pixels arrayed therein to output a pixel signal each; and a storage section configured to store the pixel signals output from the pixel array section. The image sensor writes and reads dummy data to and from the storage section in a non-access period other than the period in which the storage section is accessed for the writing and reading of the pixel signals thereto and therefrom. This technology may be applied to image sensors that capture images, for example.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus on and from which a lens unit can be mounted and removed. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device, a mount part on and from which a lens unit is mounted and removed on the image pickup apparatus, a light shielding member that is provided between the image pickup device and the mount part, and shields light in a peripheral part of a light flux guided by the lens unit by adjusting an opening amount in a photographic optical path. The opening amount of the light shielding member is controlled based on information on the lens unit mounted on the mount part.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a MOS type imaging element as defined herein; a driving control unit performing a first driving control as defined herein, a second driving control as defined herein, and a third driving control as defined herein; and an image processing unit generating a captured image data based on a captured image signal constituted by signals corresponding to the imaging charges read out from each of the plurality of pixels of the imaging element by the third driving control, and a dark image signal constituted by signals corresponding to the dark charges read out from each of the plurality of pixels of the imaging element by the second driving control, and storing the data to a storage medium.

Abstract: An image sensor and signal processing circuit therefor include a readout circuit, calibration circuitry that calculates a correction coefficient for an effective pixel circuit based on a calibration signal, adjustment circuitry that updates the correction coefficient based on an optical black pixel signal, and correction circuitry that applies the updated correction coefficient to the effective pixel signal and generates an output signal.

Abstract: Analyte arrays such as solutes in a slab-shaped gel following electrophoresis, and particularly arrays that are in excess of 3 cm square and up to 25 cm square and higher, are imaged at distances of 5 cm or less by either forming sub-images of the entire array and stitching together the sub-images by computer-based stitching technology, or by using an array of thin-film photoresponsive elements that is coextensive with the analyte array to form a single image of the array.

Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus that comprises a pixel area of pixels arranged in a matrix, output circuits apply preset processing to signals read out in parallel from divided areas obtained by dividing the pixel area in a column direction and output the processed signals, a controller performs control to execute first driving for reading out signals corresponding to a predetermined voltage to the output circuits, and second driving for reading out image signals from the pixel area, and a correction circuit generates gain data based on the predetermined voltage for correcting differences between the signals for correction of different columns output for each of the divided areas, and corrects the image signals of the divided areas using the gain data generated for the corresponding divided areas.

Abstract: The infrared imaging device includes an optical system, an infrared detector that captures an infrared image, a correction unit that corrects an infrared image based on basic correction data and outputs a corrected image, and an offset value calculation unit. The offset value calculation unit detects a subject region from the corrected image, calculates a subject value indicating a pixel value of a subject region, and calculates a subject value change amount which is a change amount of a pixel value of the subject region based on the reference subject value and the calculated subject value, and calculates the subject value change amount, as a representative offset value indicating a change amount of each pixel value of a plurality of pixels caused by a temperature change.

Abstract: Conventional image sensors cannot generate highly-accurate correction values in a short time.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, an analog-to-digital converter having a first counter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, and an output buffer having a first memory. A first counter test result value generated as a test result for the first counter is stored in the first memory in a test mode. The output buffer outputs the first counter test result value from the first memory to an outside of the output buffer in response to a first selection signal. The output buffer further includes a reset logic circuit for resetting the first memory depending on whether the first counter test result value is output or not. The plurality of pixels generate the analog signal in response to incident light.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric converter including a plurality of light receiving elements arranged along one direction in correspondence with each color of received light, each light receiving element generating an electric charge corresponding to an amount of received light, an electric charge storage unit including a plurality of capacitors storing the electric charges generated by the respective light receiving elements, and a signal processing unit configured to process each of the electric charges stored by the plurality of capacitors as a signal. The electric charge storage unit is disposed so as to oppose the signal processing unit across the photoelectric converter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to detect pixels exhibiting anomalous behavior in captured image frames. In some examples, temporal anomalous behavior may be identified, such as flickering pixels exhibiting large magnitude changes in pixel values that vary rapidly from frame-to-frame. In some examples, spatial anomalous behavior may be identified, such as pixels exhibiting values that deviate from an expected linear response in comparison with other neighbor pixels.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an image signal processor and a memory. The image signal processor receives a signal of a first code value that corresponds to an active pixel included in an active area, calculates a correction value based on a second code value associated with a first area and a third code value associated with a second area, and calculates an output code value based on the first code value and the correction value. The first area and the second area are different from the active area. The correction value includes a component of the third code value in proportion to a distance between the active pixel and the first area and includes a component of the second code value in proportion to a distance between the active pixel and the second area.

Abstract: A technique for masking a non-functioning pixel in a display screen includes receiving pixel values for driving pixels on the display screen with an image, identifying a sub-set of the pixel values associated with surrounding pixels that are adjacent to the non-functioning pixel in the display screen, and adjusting the pixel values of the sub-set to increase brightness of the surrounding pixels to compensate for lost brightness due to the non-functioning pixel to thereby mask visual perception of the non-functioning pixel.

Abstract: A digital imaging system and method for correcting errors in the digital imaging system, the digital imaging system having an image sensor, a readout apparatus for reading out the image sensor, wherein a dark current image is captured using the image sensor and the readout apparatus, and a processor comprising hardware wherein the processor is configured to perform the method comprising: generating a Fourier transform by means of a Fourier transformation on the basis of the image data of the dark current image; storing data which describe the Fourier transform; back-transforming the Fourier transform by subjecting the saved data to Fourier transformation and generating a corrective image from the back-transformed data, and correcting image errors in the digital imaging system in another image captured using the digital imaging system by offsetting image data from the captured image with image data from the corrective image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for aligning swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) spectral interferograms to a reference spectral interferogram based on signal information (e.g., amplitude or phase) at a fixed-pattern noise location to reduce residual fixed-pattern noise and improve the phase stability of SS-OCT systems.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels comprising a photoelectric conversion portion. The pixel array includes a first pixel configured to output an imaging signal in accordance with an incident light and a second pixel configured to output a correction signal used for correcting the imaging signal. The second pixel outputs the correction signal after performing a first reset performed in a state where a first bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion portion of the second pixel and a second reset performed in a state where a second bias voltage that is different from the first bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion portion.

Abstract: A partially attenuating shutter may be used to identify and reduce fixed pattern noise (FPN) associated with imaging devices. In one example, a system includes an image capture component configured to capture images in response to incident radiation from a scene along an optical path. The system includes a shutter configured to attenuate a first portion of the incident radiation and permit a second portion of the incident radiation to pass. The system also includes an actuator configured to translate the shutter between an open position out of the optical path, and a closed position in the optical path between the scene and the image capture component. The system also includes a processor configured to determine a plurality of FPN correction terms using images captured by the image capture component while the shutter is in the open and closed positions. Related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes: a plurality of pixels; and an AD converter that compares a pixel signal output from the plurality of pixels with a slope voltage having a temporally variable potential so as to perform AD conversion on the pixel signal, and switching is performed between a first mode and a second mode according to an imaging condition, the first mode being a mode in which the pixel signal is AD converted by selecting one from among a plurality of slope voltages and comparing the pixel signal with the selected slope voltage, and the second mode being a mode in which the pixel signal is AD converted by comparing the pixel signal with a predetermined slope voltage.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a valid area including pixels that are not shielded from light; a first light-blocked area and a second light-blocked area each including pixels that are shielded from light; an analog-to-digital converting unit to convert the electric charge accumulated by the pixels belonging to the first light-blocked area, the valid area, and the second light-blocked area, to image data at a time; a signal reading unit to read light-blocked data obtained from the first light-blocked area and the second light-blocked area, and valid data obtained from the valid area, in units of pixels; a reference black level estimating unit to estimate a reference black level of the light-blocked data; and a level correction unit to correct, based on the estimated reference black level, a size of the valid data obtained simultaneously with the light-blocked data used in estimating the reference black level.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises: a first circuit; and a second circuit connected to the first circuit; wherein the first circuit receives image data obtained by an image sensor including a vertical light-shielded region and an effective region, and applies, on image data of a first region which is a portion of the effective region of the image data, predetermined image processing by using image data of the vertical light-shielded region, the first circuit sets a second region and consecutively transmits to the second circuit image data of the vertical light-shielded region and unprocessed image data of the second region, and the second circuit receives the transmitted image data, and applies the predetermined image processing to the received image data by using the received image data of the vertical light-shielded region.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image pixels coupled to analog-to-digital conversion circuitry formed from pinned photodiode charge transfer circuits. Majority charge carriers for the pinned photodiodes in the charge transfer circuits may be electrons for photodiode wells formed from n-type doped regions and may be holes for photodiode formed from p-type doped regions. Pinned photodiodes may be used for charge integration onto a capacitive circuit node. Pinned photodiodes may also be used for charge subtraction from a capacitive circuit node. Comparator circuitry may be used to determine digital values for the pixel output levels in accordance with single-slope conversion, successive-approximation-register conversion, cyclic conversion, and first or second order delta-sigma conversion techniques. The array of image pixels used for imaging may have a conversion mode wherein at least a portion of the pixel circuitry in the array are operated similar to the charge transfer circuits.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image pixels coupled to analog-to-digital conversion circuitry formed from pinned photodiode charge transfer circuits. Majority charge carriers for the pinned photodiodes in the charge transfer circuits may be electrons for photodiode wells formed from n-type doped regions and may be holes for photodiode formed from p-type doped regions. Pinned photodiodes may be used for charge integration onto a capacitive circuit node. Pinned photodiodes may also be used for charge subtraction from a capacitive circuit node. Comparator circuitry may be used to determine digital values for the pixel output levels in accordance with single-slope conversion, successive-approximation-register conversion, cyclic conversion, and first or second order delta-sigma conversion techniques. The array of image pixels used for imaging may have a conversion mode wherein at least a portion of the pixel circuitry in the array are operated similar to the charge transfer circuits.

Abstract: A microcomputer controls accumulation of a signal by an AF sensor based on an AF area corresponding to a subject among a plurality of regions in the AF sensor that corresponds to each of AF areas. A setting unit sets the region corresponding to a position of a subject that should be in focus among the plurality of regions. A focus detection unit carries out focus detection based on the signal acquired from the control, the control being based on a light reception amount in a reference region set by the setting unit.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus, comprising a sensor array, a readout unit, for reading out image data from the sensor array, which includes a first mode of reading out image data in a first period and a second mode of reading out image data in a second period shorter than the first period, a holding unit and a controlling unit, wherein, after irradiation to the sensor array is complete, the controlling unit performs first control which causes the holding unit to hold image data read out in the second mode while the sensor array is not irradiated, as offset data for the second mode, and then, performs second control which causes the holding unit to hold image data read out in the first mode while the sensor array is not irradiated, as offset data for the first mode.

Abstract: An image processing system for an image sensor includes an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) unit that performs ADC on pixel signals, thereby generating digital pixel signals; a correlated double sampling (CDS) unit that performs CDS on the digital pixel signals; a black level estimation (BLE) unit that generates a negative offset voltage according to dark voltage obtained from CDS performed on estimating optical black pixels (OBPs) of a pixel array, the negative offset voltage being subtracted from the pixel signals before feeding the pixel signals to the ADC unit; and a black level compensation (BLC) unit that performs BLC on active pixels sensors (APSs) and the compensating OBPs of the pixel array.